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"You have taught me to believe in myself and to take things slowly, one step at a time, keep sight of my goals, both short term and long term.

Your coaching style was both nuturing and motivating, you seemed to intuitively know some days what I needed most. Your caring and understanding was so appreciated and it came from the heart."

-Holly C.

I would recommend the Simplicity Course as an easy, practical way to start simplifying one's life. I especially liked the segments on Tolerations, Wardrobe, and Office and Paperwork.

Each day focuses on only one task, which is helpful to people who feel overwhelmed by the complexities of modern life and hardly know where to begin downshifting.

-Joan, New York

Beth has an uncanny way of, "reading between the lines" to see a person's heart. I appreciate how genuine she is.

I have already begun implementing her suggestions, and am dumbstruck at how well they are working. I am feeling so much more secure, and feel I am finally put onto a life path that will bring me joy for many years to come."

-Sue Halpern

I feel more focused and have an objective instead of aimlessly filling up the day.

-Shelli Segura

Back to School Checklist

Don't wait until the last minute to get prepared for back to school. Use this checklist to start school organized and confident. Start about 14 days before school starts.

Day 1 Start having everyone go to bed earlier (including you)

Day 2 Make hair, doctor, immunization appointments

Day 3 Go through kid's closets with them and get rid of clothes that are too small, take them directly to goodwill

Day 4 Make a list of supplies and clothes that you will need this year

Day 5 Shopping day with the kids

Day 6 Shopping day without the kids

Day 7 Goal Planning Day for self and kids, ask kids questions about their goals for the school year and write them down, plan your own 3 month goals

Day 8 Plan your morning routine and practice it

Day 9 Plan your evening routine and practice it

Day 10 List different lunch ideas and tape into a cabinet (I have some lunch ideas at Meal Planning )

Day 11 Make and post a daily schedule for the kids to follow and make your own daily schedule

Day 12 Decide on a paperwork system and schedule daily and weekly times to go through paperwork

Day 13 Figure out where your launch pad will be for the backpacks, boots etc. will be

Day 14 Rest, catch up, have some summer fun

Day 15 Send the kids off to school with a special breakfast

Day 16 Get your extracurricular activity bag ready

Day 17 See how your routines are doing and redo if necessary

Day 18 List kid's strengths and your own

Day 19 Do a fun activity as a family

Day 20 Start a 21 day self-improvement challenge

Simplify your life even more with the Simplicity E-Course

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Beth Dargis helps the overwhelmed to create saner, simpler lives. For free monthly Simple Self Care Calendar and Weekly Simplicity Tips visit: http://www.encouragingcoach.com. This article is Copyright © 2005 by Beth Dargis, Zeeland MI. To send feedback or request reprint permission (usually granted free of charge), please contact .

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